Notice: Local junior high students made POP displays and recycled bags ✨ Second-year students from Iwanai Daiichi Junior High School brought handmade POPs, posters, and recycled bags to the Roadside Station as part of their Integrated Studies project — “A Plan to Revitalize Iwanai-cho.” For the POPs and posters, they asked themselves, “What information do customers really want?” They researched popular products and created the materials accordingly ✨ The illustrations and English labels show lots of thoughtful touches, and everything is very easy to read! And here’s a highlight 🐟 The Tarumaru illustration on the recycled bags is a work by Idobata, who won the Kida Kinjiro Prize at the ongoing “Hometown Children’s Art Exhibition” held at the Kida Kinjiro Museum of Art ✨ These limited special-design bags are not to be missed! 🎉 If you visit the Roadside Station, please pick one up and take a look 😊

The Otaru Canal in winter’s magic hour. On the right bank, stone warehouses weigh down with snow in silence, while on the left bank the warm glow of gas lamps lights the snow white. Countless candles floating on the water trail long tails of light across the cold surface, gently swaying. People strolling along the promenade, captured in long exposures, become blurred light afterimages, visualizing the dense passage of time within the still scene. The cold air and the fires that seem to melt it coexist, etched together in vivid contrast.

The winter forest is muddy Miyanomori, which rings the ski area, can be climbed and descended in about an hour to the shelter at the summit. On a warm day with temperatures around 0°C, the old man who lives opposite Miyanomori says he sometimes climbs it twice a day. With that reliable old man, I climbed Miyanomori too. - Thanks to the previous day’s warmth, the snow had melted, and on the packed snowshoe tracks the snow seemed walkable in rubber boots. ※Snowshoe: a device attached under boots to prevent sinking deeply into snow. Also called kanjiki. Once I bravely started walking in rubber boots, trouble began. Looking sideways and up, my feet slipped off the packed tracks and I plunged into the snow. Apparently, when your feet get caught in snow it’s called “nukareru” (to sink in). Seeing me struggle so much, the old man walked ahead for me. He climbed at a surprisingly quick pace. Out of shape from lack of exercise, I couldn’t catch up, so I climbed at my own pace without rushing. I snapped a photo of his back along the way. The old man would wait a short distance on and tell me things like, this tree died because deer ate its bark, or, it’s rare to see a vine this thick. Traces where deer had raced across slopes too steep for people, and deer prints beside the snowshoe tracks. It was a walk through this quietly snow-covered forest, feeling the presence of living creatures. 📷️ 📷️ 📷️ There are said to be over 30 stone monuments in Miyanomori. Even the old man doesn’t know why they’re there. Perhaps villagers once placed them to protect the forest. Snow perched atop a tree. Someone on social media had called a cornice “like braised pork,” and I remembered that. I saw several large katsura trees. Their branch tips twist and curl. Behind the direction signboard, the disturbed snow marks a deer trail. Something like a nut lay on the snow. From the shelter you can take in a panoramic view of the town. Just then, a ski class was in full swing at the ski area below. 📷️ 📷️ 📷️ Here are scenes from a winter walk in Miyanomori. #Miyanomori #Walk

We visited the Otaru Snow Festival on a day when the snowfall felt almost unreal, layers upon layers of snow covering everything in sight. The cold was intense, yet the spirit of the people was even stronger—unshaken, cheerful, and welcoming. Despite the heavy snow, they warmly invited us to become part of the festival, as if we belonged there all along. Though the air was biting, the kindness and smiles around us filled the atmosphere with joy. As evening fell, the sight of countless candles glowing softly along the canal was nothing short of magical—the gentle light reflecting on the snow and water turned Otaru into a living winter dream.

Warm up your chilled body from the winter cold… Here’s a recommended day-trip hot spring guide for you♨️

From January 27, 2026, local sake sales begin🍶 At roadside station iwanai, we offer “Junmai Daiginjo Yama” and “Junmai Ginjo Umi” in 720ml and 300ml bottles♪ *Amazake is not available for sale. Prices are as follows ⇩ “Junmai Daiginjo Yama” 720ml 2,970 yen (tax included) 300ml 1,485 yen (tax included) “Junmai Ginjo Umi” 720ml 2,200 yen (tax included) 300ml 1,100 yen (tax included) “Junmai Daiginjo Yama” polished rice ratio 45% It has a fruity, clean taste without off-flavors, making it an excellent match with snacks like cheese! “Junmai Ginjo Umi” polished rice ratio 60% Enjoy it as a table sake that brings out the best in dishes such as sashimi It won the gold prize in the Junmai category at the 2023 new-sake tasting contest hosted by the Sapporo Regional Taxation Bureau✨ We look forward to seeing you♪

Ice Land Akan is now open. We look forward to welcoming you.

Today in Taiki Town It’s another clear, sunny day! The Hidaka Mountain Range under Tokachi’s winter blue sky is more beautiful than any photo can convey.

Roadside Station Mashu Onsen Roadside Station Mashu Onsen sits in Teshikaga. You can enjoy tasty food, local souvenirs, a footbath, and a dog run area, among many other offerings 🐶❣️ It can serve as a convenient base for exploring the Teshikaga area. Some products are available only here, so be sure to check them out on site‼︎🚙💨♨️

Announcement NHK General TV’s Asaichi plans a live broadcast from the Bedrock Terrace at Kawayu Onsen in Teshikagacho. Date and Time Wednesday, January 21 — during the 9 a.m. hour The program will feature the new Kawayu Onsen spot “Bedrock Terrace,” where bedrock stretches from MtAtosanupuri, and local specialty products made using the hot springs. Please tune in. Note: The schedule may change due to breaking news or other circumstances.

Ice Land Akan, the on-ice activity area on Lake Akanko, opens on January 19th♪ Activities available starting tomorrow include: 1. Smelt fishing (wakasagi fishing) 2. Banana boat rides 3. Four-wheel ATV rides You can fully enjoy the vast snowfield on the lake now that it is completely frozen. For the best deals when enjoying Lake Akanko, use the dedicated reservation site and Marimo Pay!! Access the link in our profile♪ Instagram profile https://www.instagram.com/akan_tourism_association/...

On Wednesday, January 14 and Thursday, January 15, 2026, we will hold an Iwanai Onsen PR event on the second floor Center Plaza of New Chitose Airport. Hot spring hand baths experience ♨ Tastings of craft beer from Iwanai-cho 🍺 Information about the hot spring and town tour “DISCOVER IWANAI,” and a small gift for those who complete our survey♪ Although Iwanai Onsen sits right next to the Niseko area, it is a quiet port town hot-spring destination surrounded by sea and mountains ♨ It has earned nationwide recognition as a beautifying hot spring. Rather than a bustling tourist spot, this is a place we want people to discover who seek quiet, unhurried time with the hot springs. Meet us at the airport, and next time meet us on site. Whether you live nearby or are passing through on a transfer, please feel free to stop by!!! Local specialties will also be on sale at the event booth. Take this chance to get to know Iwanai-cho!!

A SUP Experience Tour Beyond Time and Space KUSHIRO It has finally begun (^O^)／ the Kushiro River winter-only SUP tour. Though strong winds delayed the start, today marks the START‼ The weather is fine, the waves have calmed, and it’s the perfect day for SUP✨ Most participants were beginners, so they trembled with fear at first😱 As they got used to it, smiles appeared on everyone’s faces...🥰 They were clearly having a great time‼ Kushiro River × SUP = a rare experience✨ Open for participation until Saturday, January 24th. We are accepting participants☺

📸✨ The 15th Teshikaga Photo Contest — Deadline Approaching!! The annual Teshikaga Photo Contest is underway again this year. With the theme "Experience Teshikaga’s volcanoes, forests, and lakes through the four seasons," winners will be announced on the tourism portal site Teshikaga Navi. Please check the PDF below for contest entry details. We look forward to your participation. Call for entries: "15th Teshikaga Photo Contest" Entry period November 1, 2025 (Saturday) to January 20, 2026 (Tuesday) — postmarked by the deadline Categories Spring / Summer / Autumn / Winter / Open Prizes Grand Prize: 1 winner — 30,000 yen plus additional prizes (accommodation vouchers, Mashu melon, etc.) Excellence Awards: 3 winners — 10,000 yen plus additional prizes / Honorable Mentions: 5 winners — additional prizes / Special Prize and Tourism Association Prize: several winners ■ Thanks to local businesses, many additional prizes such as accommodation vouchers, meal vouchers, and local products are available. Organizer: Mashu-ko Tourism Association (regional DMO) Supported by: Teshikagacho, Teshikagacho Board of Education, Lake Mashu Agricultural Cooperative, Teshikagacho Promotion Corporation, Teshikaga Chamber of Commerce, Kawayu Onsen Ryokan Association, Mashu Onsen Ryokan Association, Mashu Melon Producers Association, Hokkaido Shimbun, Akan-Mashu National Park Management Office (Ministry of the Environment), Kushiro Shimbun

That green friend you see around town What is Marimo Pay?? A one-minute introduction! Master Marimo Pay to enjoy Akanko more conveniently and affordably Find out more via the link in the profile🔗 Instagram profile https://www.instagram.com/akan_tourism_association/...

Four top spots to see frost flowers at Akanko! 1. Thin ice with no snow cover 2. Clear, early mornings when temperatures fall below −15°C 3. Completely calm, windless days 4. Consult a professional guide to enjoy the scenery with peace of mind Note: Frost flowers are extremely delicate natural phenomena. Even if these conditions are met, you may still be unable to view them.

SUP experiences on the Kushiro River this winter!! They finally start tomorrow. Kushiro River winter-only tours! Lotus leaf ice SUP cruising and Sunset & Night SUP adventures, we bring you SUP experiences that transcend time and space. For details and reservations, follow the link in our profile. Instagram profile link https://www.instagram.com/kushiro.lakeakan/... SUPER FANTASTIC → Time‑and‑space‑transcending SUP experience tour banner

Popular!! Recruiting participants for a bus tour [A journey to meet Sarurun Kamuy (God of the Marsh) and the red-crowned crane] At Grus, the Akan International Crane Center, the birthplace of artificial feeding, we will hold a day-trip bus tour to watch the cranes arrive, guided by Director Kawase ☺ This rare tour lets you see red-crowned cranes spread their great wings and take flight against the early morning sky ✨ Please join us! Operation dates: Sunday, February 8, 2026 and Sunday, February 15, 2026 Time: 7:00 AM–10:25 AM *Meet at 6:55 AM / KKS Convention Center (Kushiro City Tourism and International Exchange Center) Participation fee: JPY 5,500 (tax included) Capacity: 20 people per tour For details and to apply, please see the website. https://ja.kushiro-lakeakan.com/overview/19962/...

From Kushiro, Happy New Year again for 2026! The long New Year holidays have ended. How has everyone been? In Kushiro City the red-crowned cranes have arrived for the season, and 100 to 200 birds are currently being observed at the feeding station 😊 Also, from Saturday, January 17, the SL Winter Marsh Train began operating, ushering in the best time to enjoy winter sightseeing! On cold mornings you might see lotus-leaf ice or ke-arashi (steam fog) over the Kushiro River⁈ Viewed from around Nusamai Bridge, the scene becomes even more magical. You can also enjoy winter canoeing on the Kushiro River as it flows through Kushiro Shitsugen! Thanks to the clear winter air, the sunset in Kushiro—hailed as one of the world’s three great sunsets—shines with even more vivid colors, and Kushiro offers many sights and experiences you can only encounter at this time of year. Please come visit us✨ The official Kushiro and Akan tourism site, super fantastic, is here https://ja.kushiro-lakeakan.com// Wishing everyone a great year again this year (^^)

Even after Lake Akanko begins to freeze, the ice remains very thin! It can be hard to see, but hot springs bubble up from the lakebed in places, making the ice dangerously thin. When people work on the ice, they do so only after taking safety precautions. Even with warning signs and ropes to keep people out, local residents sometimes report those who try to venture onto the ice. Going onto the ice at this time of year is a life-threatening risk. Do not go onto the ice under any circumstances.

Roadside Station Iwanai Happy New Year, and best wishes for 2026 🐴 We look forward to your continued support this year 🎍 Roadside Station Iwanai is open today, Sunday, January 4th! We look forward to welcoming you 😆 Please note that we will be closed on Monday, January 5th. This year, we let the trendy AI create images for us 🐟

New Year Greetings and Information on the Operating Status of Tourist and Bathing Facilities Happy New Year. I pray that 2026 will be a wonderful year for everyone. We will continue working to ensure that everyone spending time in Teshikaga this year can enjoy memorable moments, and we appreciate your continued support. (New Year’s Day, 2026) Information about the operating status of tourist attractions and bathing facilities during the New Year period is available on Teshikaga Navi. Please note that hours and opening days may differ from the usual schedule. Also, some bathing facilities may be closed temporarily, so we recommend contacting each facility before you go.

☆Notice of Closure☆ ⁡ We will be closed from December 31st to January 1st. We will resume normal business hours from January 2nd for the New Year period!

Notice of Year-end and New Year Business Hours Thank you for always visiting Roadside Station Ashoro Ginga Hall 21. Our year-end and New Year business hours are as shown in the attached image. Thank you for visiting us many times this year. We look forward to your continued support next year.

[Tokutoku Coupon 2026] Save with coupons at Kawayu Onsen! We’re launching the special Tokutoku Coupon campaign for guests staying in the Kawayu Onsen district! Guests who stay at Kawayu Kanko Hotel, Annex Suikazura, or KKR Kawayu will receive discount coupons worth a total of ¥2,000 usable at participating Kawayu Restaurants and Bars Association members!! Pick up your coupon at your hotel front desk and present it at participating shops marked on the MAP when dining to receive the discount. The campaign runs from January 15, 2026 through the end of March 2026, while supplies last. This is a great deal, so please take advantage of it as one of the pleasures of visiting Kawayu Onsen. [Coupon Distribution Period] Thursday, January 15, 2026 – through the end of March 2026 *Coupons will stop being distributed once supplies run out.

Kopi: Introduction Video to Nishiokoppe Village [1] - The introduction video to Nishiokoppe Village has been released ① - Kopi is active as a singer, actor, and influencer. Following last year, Kopi visited Nishiokoppe Village again this year! Over a one-night, two-day stay, she toured many spots in Nishiokoppe Village and introduced them to viewers 🏃🏃🏃 The Experience Farm, where visitors can stay long-term while taking part in agricultural activities, Forest Park, where you can play at a batting center and go-karts, the village’s only supermarket Q Mart, Tao Shoten, where you can buy venison and bear meat sourced within the village, Okhotsk Musical Instrument Industry Co., Ltd., which manufactures electric guitar bodies, GA.KOPPER, a guest house renovated from a wooden junior high school that closed down, and Roadside Station Nishiokoppe Kamu, where you can enjoy a flower park. In a roughly 30-minute video, all of these are tightly packed together ✨ For more on Okhotsk Musical Instrument Industry Co., Ltd., watch the upcoming YouTube video featuring Mayu Kondo or Kopi’s past videos to see detailed manufacturing processes 👀 Fans of Kopi won’t want to miss her cooking scenes. Don’t miss how she enjoys Nishiokoppe venison and Kouei beef! Watching the video will make you want to eat it 🤤 Kopi braved the cold of Hokkaido in October to convey the experience. Thank you, Kopi, for visiting Nishiokoppe Village! #Settlement promotion #Introduction video #Kopi #Influencer #Actor #Eat #Stay

＊＊＊＊🎄 Akanko on December 23 A thin film of ice had just begun to form The wonderful winter season at Akanko is about to fully kick in We look forward to welcoming you But we have a request The ice is still very, very thin Do not step onto it under any circumstances "Watch for falling through ⚠️" Please stay safe and enjoy Akanko to the fullest♪

The other day the weather was nice, so I went to the Avenue of white birch trees. The contrast of the blue sky, the snow, and the white birches is beautiful, isn’t it! You can enjoy the beauty of the Avenue of white birch trees in every season, so do visit and see for yourself 😊

An update from the "Information Broadcast Bureau" on the Kawayu Onsen website has been posted📝🆙 An article about the traditional Kawayu Onsen Caravan (organized by the Kawayu Onsen Caravan Executive Committee), held on November 26—"Good Bath Day"—is now up💡♨️ The article introduces scenes of the caravan, wearing hanten coats of the hot spring source faction and carrying Kawayu Onsen lanterns as it races across Michihigashi🏃‍♀️💨Please take a look✨ 🔗 https://www.kawayu-onsen.com/feature/889/...

The "From the Information Desk" section on the Kawayu Onsen website has been updated 📝🆙 "Calm your mind and take a fresh look. Autumn at Kawayu Onsen." has been posted. With poor weather across the prefecture right now, take a breather and have a slow look 👀✨ You may rediscover how to enjoy the healing waters of Kawayu Onsen. https://www.kawayu-onsen.com/feature/autumn/...